How to choose an eventing stallion
With thousands of stallions out there, how does the amateur breeder choose the right mate for her mare? Horse & Hound asked breeding expert Lucinda Board to help reader Emma Holland choose a sire for her coloured event mare, Amazing Pase (pictured right).
The expert
Lucinda Broad has evented up to three-star. She has gained Futurity elite premiums with home-bred stock and is now taking over the breeding mantle from her mother Beryl, breeder of the stallion Sir Suave.
The mare
Amazing Pase, 10yo, KWPN by Patrick/Candy Surprice. Graded with the Coloured Horse and Pony Society. Placed in the BE five-year-old championship, has competed novice eventing and affiliated dressage and jumping.
Owner Emma Holland says: “She’s a dominant mare and knows her job, but can struggle with the time cross-country.”
Lucinda says: “She has a very good body with a well set-on neck, good depth of chest and a strong backside. She is a ‘wow’ mover. However, she’s a little heavy on her feet and sharp, so temperament is key.
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“As her stamina can drop off, a full thoroughbed is probably best. However, for her frame she is a bit light of bone.”
Owner’s breeding aims
“I’d love to breed a horse for the BE young horse classes, then event up to intermediate. A good temperament is crucial as my mare is quite whizzy and can be cranky. I’d like something that’s competitive at its level.
“I’ll keep the foal and so I’d consider a less commercial sire.”
Lucinda’s stallion suggestions
| Rock King (Just A Monarch/Rugantino). Cost £1,500. “He competed up to advanced so he’s proved himself and has four-star offspring, including Kings Fancy. He’s a full thoroughbred but with a bit of bone so should add the necessary speed. Even though he is dead, frozen semen is still available.” |
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| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Row 0 - Cell 1 | Bollin Terry (Terimon/Alzao). Cost £400. “A cheaper option for Amazing Pase’s first foal, he is another fairly chunky full thoroughbred. He is known for having and passing on a very good temperament and his breeding should add the stamina she lacks. He has produced a lot of show horses, so he passes on desireable, correct conformation.” |
| Jigilo (Jumbo/Teofane). Cost £550. “He is a part-thoroughbred which should add the speed the mare lacks, but has a dash of Irish draught to help ensure a decent amount of bone. He’s an advanced stallion and did a three-star, which is unusual for stallions, and shows his rideability.” |
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For more expert advice on how to breed a winner, see this Thursday’s Horse & Hound magazine (5 April 2012), which is our second sport horse breeding special.
To purchase our first 2012 sport horse special (8 March issue) call our back issues team on 01733 385170.
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